What is the ruling on giving zakat to relatives? A young man works in a company and earns an income that reaches the nisab. He has not paid zakat on his salary for two years. He decided to give one-fortieth (2.5%) of each salary as zakat, by dividing the salary by 40. He asks whether this is considered zakat or sadaqah, and whether it is permissible to give this money to his needy relatives, such as his maternal uncle and paternal uncle.

All praise is due to Allah. If you do not possess the nisab (minimum threshold) that necessitates Zakat, then nothing is obligatory upon you, and you are not required to save. Whatever you spend from your wealth is considered voluntary charity (sadaqah tatawwu'iyyah), for which you will be rewarded, and needy relatives have a greater right to it. Regarding vows, if it was articulated verbally, it has its ruling. However, if it was merely an intention in the mind without verbalization, then nothing is binding.